Morato has given Nuno Espirito Santo another West Ham United selection decision after making an encouraging first start for the club against Wrexham.
The Brazilian was included from the beginning for Friday night’s 6-0 Championship victory after being limited to substitute appearances following his Deadline Day arrival.
Morato had made late appearances against Derby County and Bolton Wanderers before Nuno finally handed him a full opportunity at London Stadium. The confirmed West Ham XI against Wrexham shows the 25-year-old starting alongside Konstantinos Mavropanos and Max Kilman.
West Ham then produced their biggest victory of the season.
Morato takes West Ham opportunity
Morato arrived from Nottingham Forest on 1 September after West Ham moved to strengthen Nuno’s defensive options.
Read West Ham covered the confirmation of Morato’s West Ham loan, with the defender reunited with the manager who previously worked with him at Forest.
West Ham’s official Morato profile confirms he joined on a season-long loan and highlights the experience he gained under Nuno in both the Premier League and Europa League.
That familiarity should help his adaptation.
Nuno initially resisted changing the defence immediately after Morato arrived.
Our West Ham predicted XI against Derby argued that the Brazilian would have to wait because West Ham had finally found some defensive stability.
He eventually made his debut from the bench late in the 3-0 Derby win before another short appearance against Bolton.
Wrexham represented a much bigger opportunity.
West Ham clean sheet strengthens Morato case
West Ham did not simply win with Morato involved.
They kept another clean sheet.
Nuno praised his team’s organisation afterwards, explaining that West Ham pressed well and prevented Wrexham from creating too many opportunities. Sky Sports’ report from the 6-0 victory also highlighted the control West Ham established throughout the game.
That makes Morato’s emergence particularly useful.
Kilman and Mavropanos have been Nuno’s established senior central defenders, while Joel Veltman’s versatility has also given the manager another option.
Morato now looks capable of putting genuine pressure on that hierarchy.
His ability to operate centrally or towards the left of the defence also gives Nuno greater flexibility during a demanding schedule.
Morato could get Fulham chance
Tuesday’s Carabao Cup meeting with Fulham provides another obvious opportunity.
West Ham then travel to Millwall on Saturday, meaning Nuno is unlikely to use exactly the same defensive combination in both matches.
Our West Ham predicted XI against Fulham expects substantial rotation, while supporters can find the full schedule through the West Ham fixtures and results page.
There is also a broader long-term question.
Read West Ham reported when the deal was being completed that Morato’s loan was expected to include an option to buy.
One start is nowhere near enough to judge whether West Ham should eventually take that opportunity.
It was, however, a very encouraging beginning.
Nuno wanted greater defensive competition before the transfer deadline.
Morato has now started to provide it.
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